A BOLTON brewer has hit back at suggestions that he broke promises to Fred Dibnah over naming a beer after him.

John Feeney, owner of Bank Top Brewery, renamed the Doctor Dibnah ale brewed specially for the Bolton Beer Festival.

Mr Dibnah's wife Sheila said when Bank Top launched Fred's Cap, named in her husband's honour, in 1995 he had been promised a reward if it was successful.

But Mr Feeney said: "The only agreement I made was to take him to the pub where the beer was launched and give him free beer."